Portugal reaffirmed its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, deeming it a realistic, serious, and credible proposal for an agreed upon solution, under the aegis of the United Nations.
This came in the 14th Luso-Moroccan High-Level Meeting, held Friday in Lisbon and co-chaired by Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic António Costa and Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch.
The two parties agreed on the importance of the UN’s role in the political process and reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2654, which emphasizes the responsibility of the parties to the conflict to find a realistic, pragmatic, durable, and compromise-based political solution.
Portugal also hailed the openness, progress, and modernity in Morocco and the African continent.
The pivotal role of King Mohammed VI as Chairperson of OIC-affiliated Al Quds Committee was also highlighted.
Additionally, Portugal described Morocco a credible and trusted regional and international actor, which plays a crucial role in stability, security, and development in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Sahel-Saharan region, and Africa in general.
Portugal also commended Morocco for its contribution to regional and international counter-terrorism efforts, through co-chairing the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) for three consecutive terms, as well as its co-chairing of the Africa Focus Group under the Global Coalition against Daech.
Morocco’s joint bid to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal, was also highlighted.